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This study presents the results of a spatiotemporal analysis of indoor radon concentration dynamics at the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan), located near the Almaty tectonic fault. The research is based on a 2.5-year monitoring campaign of radon levels using the RAMON-02A radiometer. The radon activity concentration ranged from 1.29 ± 0.19 to 149 ± 22 Bq/m3. The distribution of radon concentrations was found to follow a lognormal law, with a skewness coefficient of 1.55 and kurtosis of 4.7. The mean values were 28.7 ± 4.2 Bq/m3 (arithmetic mean) and 24.5 ± 3.6 Bq/m3 (geometric mean). Distinct seasonal and monthly variations were observed: the lowest concentrations were recorded during the summer months (August—20.8 ± 3.1 Bq/m3), while the highest were observed in spring and winter (May—34.0 ± 4.9 Bq/m3, December—34.2 ± 4.9 Bq/m3). The springtime increase in radon levels is attributed to thermobaric effects, limited ventilation, and precipitation, which contributes to soil sealing. Autocorrelation analysis revealed diurnal, seasonal, and annual fluctuations, as well as quasi-periodic variations of approximately 150 days, presumably linked to geophysical processes. Correlation analysis indicated a weak positive relationship between radon concentration and air temperature during winter and spring (≈0.2), and a pronounced negative correlation with atmospheric pressure in winter (−0.57). The influence of humidity was found to be minor and seasonally variable.

A critical target for ionizing radiation is DNA that damage to a cell. Thus, when dealing with the general irradiation of the body, we observe the diverse effects of radiation. As a result of irradiation, somatic cells retain the ability to reproduce, but can give rise to the growth of a clone of altered cells, leading to a malignant neoplasm. The manifestation of ionizing radiation on germ cells can lead to prolonged effects, morphological changes and hereditary diseases. It is quite difficult to study the genetic consequences of radiation on patients due to the difficulties of compiling or selecting comparable control groups or samples and maintaining their representativeness. On the solutions to this problem is to simulate the genetic effects of irradiation on model objects, in our case, this is Drosophila melanogaster. The genetic effects of alpha radiation are main manifested in the morphology form of the wing, thorax and antenna morphoses. However, alpha particles very often cause the development of colored tumors, which have been allied melanomas. Genotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of α-radiation were detected in the test systems of the gene white (white eyes), linked X chromosomes and Basc (Me-5).

Altered expressions of proto-oncogenes have been reported during normal lymphocytes mitogenesis and in T and B lymphocytes in patients with autoimmune diseases. We have recently demonstrated a significantly decreased expression of c-kit and c-Myc in NK cells isolated from patients with cancer, which might be related to the functional deficiency of NK cells in the tumor environment. Here, focusing on the regulatory mechanisms of this new clinical phenomenon, we determined expression of c-Myc, Notch1, Notch2, p-53, Cdk6, Rb and phosphorylated Rb in NK cells isolated from the healthy donors and cancer patients. The results of our study revealed a significant down-regulation of expression of Notch receptors and up-regulation of Cdk6 expression in NK cells in cancer, while no significant changes in the expression of p53 and Rb proteins were seen. These data revealed novel signaling pathways altered in NK cells in the tumor environment and support further investigation of the origin of deregulated expression of proto-oncogenes in NK cells patients with different types of cancer.

The assessment of lethal and teratogenic effects of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) using zebrafish embryo toxicity test for 72 h was performed. Following UDMH concentrations were studied for embryotoxic effects: 0.64M, 0.13M, 0.06M, 0.04M, 5x10 -3 M and 1,7x10 -3 M after 3 h embryo exposure to UDMH at 7-10 hpf. It was shown that high UDMH concentrations (0,64М, 0,13М, and 0,06М) possess significant embryotoxic action to D.rerio embryos followed by concentration-dependent embryo lysis. 0.04M UDMH and vapors caused severe teratogenic effects and growth retardation prior to hatching resulted in embryo mortality to 48 hpf and 72 hpf, respectively. Zebrafish embryos exposure to low UDMH concentrations of 5x10 -3 M and 1,7x10 -3 M caused no significant lethal, but pronounced teratogenic effect (in latter case accumulated from 24 to 72 hpf), with observed malformations of spinal cord and tail tip, yolk sac and pericardial edemas, hypopigmentation. Thus short term 3 h. exposure of D.rerio embryos to UDMH at gastrulation stage induces alterations that further revealed themselves throughout embryonic development causing dose-dependent lethal and teratogenic effects.

This work is devoted to studying the alpha activity distribution of natural radionuclides in boarding schools located near zones of tectonic faults. There are many tectonic faults in the Almaty and this is the basis for referring the southern capital of Kazakhstan to the radon-hazardous territories. As a result of radiometric measurements a 2D-topology of the alpha-radiation flux density distribution from the distance to the tectonic fault was found. Based on the measurements results the coefficient of radon concentration from the distance to the tectonic rupture was found. Using the obtained pattern, it is possible to plot the dependence of volumetric alpha activity for other schools, if their distances from the tectonic fault are known. In addition, interest in biomedical and ecogenetic effects of radon and its decay products has grown considerably in the last few years. These effects have been investigated in biotests on Drosophila’s two systems. It was found that alpha-particles, with the help of which the situation in radon-hazardous territories was simulated, possess mutagenic influence manifested mainly in formation of morphoses or deformities.